The finish came in his 24th career start, was his first on the circuit since November 30, the Outside Pole Qualifier at the Thompson Speedway where he was involved in a single-car crash after completing 16 of 22 laps, 12 races ago. In the SCRL Icebreakers Whelen Series, it's the 3rd for car #3 and the 10th from a crash. Across all the series in the SCRL, it's the 11th for the #3 and the 200th from a crash.
Ever since trailing the field at Thompson, Kennedy has continued to struggle to make a name for himself in the Whelen Series. A 20th in the last dirt race at New Egypt, 15th at the first Holland race, and a series best runner up in the second Holland race was the lone highlight of his season so far. A 22nd at Riverhead, 10th at Catamount, 23rd at Star, 5th at the 3rd Thompson event, a second runner up finish at Waterford, 15th at Riverhead, 24th at Stafford and a 17th in the last round at Thompson as the series rolled into the first ever event at the Pocono short track.
On race day, Kennedy rolled off starting 9th while third New Egypt last-place finisher the #88 Buzz Chez Chevrolet / GT Vodka Chevrolet of Dexter Black, but his stay in the final spot lasted only two turns before he knocked the #8 Al's Mobile Home Chevrolet of Eli Bright into the final spot, a place Bright would hold till Lap 3 when the #38 P.A.S.E. Corporation Chevrolet of Jack Lagasee took the final spot as Lagasse struggled to keep up with the rest of the pack, and appeared he was on his way to picking up the 4th last-place finish of his career.
However, on Lap 11, chaos broke out in Turn 3 as first Waterford last-place finisher the #1 DMC Auto Exchange Chevrolet of Anthony Lopez was spun out by second New Egypt last-place finisher the #11 Marek Engineering Chevrolet of Evan Hunter as Lopez's car slid up the track and smacked the outside guard rail in Turn 3, spinning the car sideways. At the same time, Kennedy was riding along in 11th and had nowhere to go as he slammed hard into Evan's car, sending Kennedy's for a flip before landing on his roof. Both drivers were able to climb out of their cars uninjured, but their cars were both destroyed and their day was over.
The remaining Bottom Five were able to finish the race on the same lap as the race leaders: 23rd was current SCRLASTCAR championship leader the #57 M-M Stone Chevrolet of Danyal Gitirokh, 22nd was the aforementioned #88 of Dexter Black and 21st was the #38 of Jack Lagasee.
SCRLASTCAR STATISTICS
*This is the first time the #3 has finished last at Pocono.
THE BOTTOM FIVE
25) #3-Nick Kennedy / 11 laps / crash
24) #1-Anthony Lopez / 12 laps / crash
23) #57-Danyal Gitirokh / 25 laps / running
22) #88-Dexter Black / 25 laps / running
21) #38-Jack Lagasee / 25 laps / running
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